Chapter Text
—You came!— Red exclaimed when she saw her sister appear from one of the maze's corridors. When Red had called for help, she'd never imagined Pink would actually show up.
—Of course I did. That's what sisters are for, right?—
Red's chest tightened at those words. Ever since everything had started, she'd barely tolerated her sister. She'd always assumed she'd have to look after her, never giving her the credit she deserved.
And now that she really thought about it, Pink wasn't the only person she'd hurt because of that.
Red wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly. Far from being surprised, Pink melted into the embrace and hugged her back just as fiercely.
She had missed her sister so much over the past few days.
—Pink... I'm sorry— Red began once they pulled apart —I never wanted you to think I didn't need you or that I was trying to push you away. I just...— She couldn't find the right words, because the only explanation she could give was that, in another timeline, Pink had never existed, and because of that, she'd never known what it meant to have a sister.
And this definitely wasn't the right time to explain the whole time travel situation.
—Don't worry— Pink said with a bright smile —No matter what happens, we'll always be sisters—
Red nodded before pulling her into another hug. Without a doubt, Pink was the sweetest person she'd ever met. The younger girl wrapped her arms around her sister's waist and savored the closeness for a few moments before they finally let go.
—What happened? Why did you and Luis suddenly run off?—
As soon as Pink asked, Red immediately thought of Chloe. Of how much she'd changed, and not just physically. She still remembered the chill that had run down her spine when she'd seen how completely different Chloe had become.
Max had done something to her, that much she was sure of. But she'd be a hypocrite if she blamed only him. She was responsible for everything that was happening.
And she couldn't even be completely angry with Max (only a little). She'd played a part in making his life miserable, too. She couldn't blame him for wanting a better life.
Or for wanting revenge against her.
—This is all my fault, Pink—
Her sister looked at her in confusion but didn't interrupt.
—I hurt Chloe so much, and now she and Max have joined Maddox. If I'd just listened to her from the beginning...—
—Red— Pink gently took her hands, stopping her —These past few days haven't been easy, but I know you can get Chloe back. You just have to be honest with her—
Pink squeezed her hands a little tighter, trying to make Red understand what she meant.
And of course Red understood.
She'd known how she felt for a long time, she'd simply done everything she could to ignore those feelings. Maybe that was why she'd spent so much time with Luis over the past few days.
Now she had to make things right.
—Remind me to listen to you more often—
Pink laughed.
—Deal—
She looked around the maze, wondering what they could do next.
—So, what's the plan?—
—Do you have any of Alice's cookie left?—
Pink practically lit up.
—I always carry sweets with me—
…
Chloe remembered the way to the Royal Chamber, and it didn't take her and Max long to reach it. As soon as they arrived at the hedge, it rose before them, revealing the chamber beyond, filled with priceless artifacts.
But there was only one they cared about.
The watch.
Max walked over and picked it up, still amazed that it was real. Even after seeing it in the Oracle's vision, part of him had refused to believe it existed until he was finally holding it in his hands.
—It's over— he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, placing his finger on the watch's button —For my father. For the life we could have had. And for revenge—
Red was going to pay for what she'd done to him.
—For Red's betrayal—
The sadness Chloe had felt after their fight seemed to have vanished completely, leaving behind nothing but betrayal and the desire for revenge. Every time she thought about it, the gem in her bracelet seemed to glow, as though it were feeding those emotions, making sure the kind, gentle Chloe remained buried deep inside.
—Hey, you two—
They both spun around to find Red standing behind them, smiling with her arms crossed.
—Miss us?—
—'Us?'— Max echoed, confused. Red was alone.
The redhead's smile widened as she looked past them.
They turned around and saw Pink, now transformed into a giant, towering several meters above them.
—Hi— she greeted them sweetly.
Then she began stomping the ground.
The entire chamber shook violently. Cracks spread across the floor until it finally gave way beneath all three of them, sending them plummeting into a cavern below. They hit the ground hard, and for a few moments none of them could move from the impact.
—We definitely needed to refine that plan— Red muttered under her breath, realizing a little too late that it had a few flaws... quite literally.
She climbed to her feet with some effort and looked up through the hole they'd fallen through, spotting Pink peering down from above.
—Red! Are you okay?—
—Yeah. Go find the others. I'll catch up with you later—
Though she looked reluctant, Pink nodded and hurried off to find the rest of the team.
—The watch!— Max practically threw himself to the ground and frantically started searching for it. It must have slipped from his hand when the three of them fell into the cavern.
Red immediately followed suit, searching just as desperately, hoping she could find it before he did.
Chloe stood a little apart, watching them. She scanned the cave until she noticed a golden glimmer beneath a pile of rubble. Kneeling down, she reached in and picked up the watch.
As she stood, a smile spread across her face as she admired the device in her hand. When they had returned to the present, she'd never imagined she would ever use it again.
The moment she got to her feet, the other two looked at her, realizing she had found it first. Max smiled.
Red's heart sank.
—Chloe, do it— Max urged —You'll get your revenge and I'll get a life with my father—
—Chloe, don't. This isn't you— Red took a couple of cautious steps toward her former friend, but Chloe immediately backed away, refusing to let her close the distance between them.
—Of course it isn't, Red—
Tears welled in Red's eyes as she heard her voice.
—That Chloe,the sweet, kind, good girl, is gone— Chloe glanced down at the watch for a moment before looking back at Red —She died. These past few days, I've felt invisible. Ignored. But that's over now. Now it's your turn to know what it feels like when the person you trust most stabs you in the back—
As she spoke, Red noticed the gem in Chloe's bracelet glowing more intensely. That's when she finally understood what Max had done to her.
She just had to take it off.
If she could remove the bracelet, she could bring the real Chloe back.
Red stepped forward, determined to rip the stupid thing off her wrist, but Chloe saw her coming and quickly retreated, raising her finger over the button on the watch.
Red froze.
She looked at Chloe and realized that forcing the issue would accomplish nothing.
—It's over, Red—
Chloe looked back down at the watch, lifting her finger to press the button.
Then Red remembered Pink's words in the maze.
I know you can get Chloe back. You just have to be honest with her
She was right.
She couldn't keep pretending anymore.
If she wanted Chloe back...
She had to tell her the truth.
No more hiding it.
—Chloe... you were right—
Red took a careful step toward her, much more gently than before.
Chloe looked back at her, confusion replacing the anger in her eyes.
—When we traveled to the past, my whole life changed, and it changed for the better. We only succeeded because you believed in me, even though I'd given you no reason to. Because of you, my life changed forever—
Red saw the uncertainty flicker across Chloe's face and took it as a sign to move a little closer. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the gem in Chloe's bracelet beginning to lose its glow.
—You were by my side through everything. You deserved the same from me... and I didn't give it to you—
No matter how hard she tried to hold them back, tears slipped down Red's cheeks.
—I refused to see that you were struggling with all these changes too. I ignored you. I pushed you aside... because, stupidly, I convinced myself that my problems mattered more than yours—
—Chloe, she's trying to manipulate you. Don't listen to her—
Max cut into the conversation, drawing Chloe's attention.
—She's ignored you this whole time, and now she suddenly admits she was wrong. Pretty convenient, isn't it?—
The gem immediately flared brighter again, responding to Max's words.
Red noticed it and took another step forward, reclaiming Chloe's attention.
—Ever since we got here, I've leaned on Luis instead of you. I kept pushing you away because I thought that if I stayed close to him... I could ignore how I really felt—
Chloe's eyes widened slightly.
—I thought I could force myself to feel for Luis what I feel for you—
Red took a shaky breath.
—But the truth is... you're the only one I love—
The bracelet's glow began to fade again, this time much faster than before.
Gently, Red took Chloe's free hand in hers and stepped closer until only inches separated them.
—This life I have now, the life I have because of you, I only want it if you're in it—
Red gently stroked the hand she was holding.
Chloe glanced down at their joined hands in surprise before looking back at Red, tears shimmering in her eyes.
—For once in my life, I want someone to stay by my side. I want you by my side. And I want to be by yours. Because even if I mess up again—and I know I will—and even if there are days when you wonder what you're doing with me, when you think you'd be better off with someone else...—
Red's voice trembled.
—You need to know that I mean every word of this—
Chloe couldn't hold back anymore. Tears spilled down her cheeks, just as they were down Red's.
—I love you, Chloe—
Without another word, Red leaned in and kissed her.
Chloe froze.
It was as if she couldn't believe Red was really kissing her or that she truly felt that way about her.
Red squeezed the hand she was holding and gently cupped Chloe's cheek with her free hand. Chloe remained motionless, still trying to process what was happening, but she felt a warmth spread through her entire body.
When they finally pulled apart, Red didn't move far. She looked into Chloe's eyes, now restored to the soft honey color she loved so much.
Her gaze drifted down to the bracelet.
The gem was no longer glowing.
Chloe stood completely speechless, struggling to process everything that had just happened—the kiss and Red's confession.
She followed Red's gaze to the bracelet still fastened around her wrist.
After that kiss, it was as though the magic was no longer inside her mind, telling her what to feel. It felt like waking from a dream and suddenly realizing that everything she'd experienced had actually been real.
—What have I done?—
She let go of Red's hand only long enough to tear the bracelet from her wrist. Then she hurled it with all her strength at one of the cavern's statues.
It shattered instantly.
Red flinched at the sudden movement—Chloe had acted so quickly that she hadn't expected it—but when she saw the broken bracelet, she looked back at Chloe.
She was herself again.
They both smiled before throwing their arms around each other.
Red held Chloe tightly, while Chloe wrapped her arms around Red's waist and buried her face against her neck, overwhelmed with relief to be back.
—Red... I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I felt so hurt, and—
—Hey—
Red gently pulled back and cupped Chloe's face in both hands.
—I already told you. This was my fault. I never should've pushed you aside. I should've listened to you. And I should've been honest with myself—
Chloe tightened her arms around Red and smiled.
—Well... in your defense, I probably should've talked to you the morning after our fight instead of accepting the bracelet. I share some of the blame too—
—Sounds like we both have some things to work on—
Chloe laughed at that, and Red's smile grew even wider.
—Yeah... I guess we do—
They looked at each other, and this time Chloe couldn't resist kissing her again. She'd frozen up the first time, and she wasn't going to leave it at that.
Sliding an arm around Red's waist, she pulled her close. Red's hands found the back of Chloe's neck as she melted into the kiss, savoring every second of it.